Our text is not a long one, but like other short verses in the bible, it contains much. It offers in insight into how God works and how a life can be transformed by His work. This was Peter’s first introduction to Jesus. Prior to this, we have no indication that Jesus and Simon Peter had ever met. The bible paints a picture of Peter as a colorful character who could be brash and profane at times. This meeting with Jesus began a great transformation in Peter’s life. It was not instantaneous, but a steady process. In this first meeting Jesus spoke great things into Peter’s life and set a foundation that Peter continued to rely upon for the rest of his days. God speaks into our lives too. We must listen to and heed the words that He is speaking. He stated, “Thou art Simon.” Jesus had never met Peter, but He knew him and knew him to the core. He knew him to be the quick-tempered, impetuous bold person that he was. What Peter was at that time did not worry Jesus. God has to start somewhere with us. Until we let God get to the real us, we cannot begin to make progress. God knows the real us, but He as to get through layers of protection that we put up in order to get there. After he cut to the core, Jesus says “But you shall be called Cephas.” Jesus promises that there will be a transformation in his life that would make him a new man. Jesus identified who Simon was, and then speaks of what he could become. The same is true of us. God can speak into our lives and shows a vision of what we can become with His divine intervention. When the Lord speaks to us, he does not address us as what we are, but what we can become. We must hear what He has to say and let it move us toward what He wants us to become. Just as Jesus spoke to Simon, He tells us “You are, but you shall be….”

Our text is not a long one, but like other short verses in the bible, it contains much. It offers in insight into how God works and how a life can be transformed by His work. This was Peter’s first introduction to Jesus. Prior to this, we have no indication that Jesus and Simon Peter had ever met. The bible paints a picture of Peter as a colorful character who could be brash and profane at times. This meeting with Jesus began a great transformation in Peter’s life. It was not instantaneous, but a steady process. In this first meeting Jesus spoke great things into Peter’s life and set a foundation that Peter continued to rely upon for the rest of his days. God speaks into our lives too. We must listen to and heed the words that He is speaking. He stated, “Thou art Simon.” Jesus had never met Peter, but He knew him and knew him to the core. He knew him to be the quick-tempered, impetuous bold person that he was. What Peter was at that time did not worry Jesus. God has to start somewhere with us. Until we let God get to the real us, we cannot begin to make progress. God knows the real us, but He as to get through layers of protection that we put up in order to get there. After he cut to the core, Jesus says “But you shall be called Cephas.” Jesus promises that there will be a transformation in his life that would make him a new man. Jesus identified who Simon was, and then speaks of what he could become. The same is true of us. God can speak into our lives and shows a vision of what we can become with His divine intervention. When the Lord speaks to us, he does not address us as what we are, but what we can become. We must hear what He has to say and let it move us toward what He wants us to become. Just as Jesus spoke to Simon, He tells us “You are, but you shall be….”

There was a more direct route that God could have taken the children of Israel out of Egypt than he chose, but He took them into what seems to be a dead end. There are times that God sends us down a path that is seemingly a trap in order to teach us to rely upon Him totally. The lesson in our text is that God means for us to be where we are. God leads us to places where there seems to be no escape so that we can learn to be totally reliant upon Him. The Red Sea was in front of them. Mountains and valleys were on either side of them and Pharaoh’s army chased them from behind. They were truly between the devil and the deep blue sea. God could have brought them out through an easier path, but God led them to this place to demonstrate to them that He would provide for their needs. There are times in life where there seems to be no escape. No matter how many people love or care for us, and how many people that try to help, there are some situations that only God can handle. When God handles it, there is no one else who can be given credit. In a hopeless situation where there seem to be no escape, God can make a way.

We live in a wicked world. Our times are not the first time in history that the world could be described as wicked. Sodom and Gomorrah are but one example. Then as now, God was displeased with the sin, but He still had a people that he loved. Things are moving so quickly in our world, that we sometimes accept the change that comes our way without really knowing if it is the right thing to do. Sometimes we do not know if these things are good until several years down the way.

In our text, Paul describes his life as though he were an athlete in training for a race. He laments that he does not want to train all his life and run the race, only to be disqualified. Of anyone in his time, Paul was should have been someone who did not need to worry about his salvation. However this text clearly states that he was ever vigilant to stay with his living for God. Paul reminds us that we are always in a battle and a race, and that if we are to win this race, we need to discipline ourselves and never lose sight of the goal. The goal is not popularity in the world. The goal is not to see how large a church we can have. The goal is to reach the prize of salvation that God has placed before us.

Bro. Hughes points out lessons that Paul brings to us in this letter to the church in Corinth to avoid being disqualified.

• Wake up. Some people can come to church in their sleep. The motions are there, but some people are sleep walking through church.

• Stay humble. The sprit of pride is present in everyone and come in many forms. None of us deserve to be here and we must enter church with a sense of humility.

• Stay accountable

• Stay submitted

• Stay focused

• Never stop running in the race.

We live in a wicked world. Our times are not the first time in history that the world could be described as wicked. Sodom and Gomorrah are but one example. Then as now, God was displeased with the sin, but He still had a people that he loved. Things are moving so quickly in our world, that we sometimes accept the change that comes our way without really knowing if it is the right thing to do. Sometimes we do not know if these things are good until several years down the way.

In our text, Paul describes his life as though he were an athlete in training for a race. He laments that he does not want to train all his life and run the race, only to be disqualified. Of anyone in his time, Paul was should have been someone who did not need to worry about his salvation. However this text clearly states that he was ever vigilant to stay with his living for God. Paul reminds us that we are always in a battle and a race, and that if we are to win this race, we need to discipline ourselves and never lose sight of the goal. The goal is not popularity in the world. The goal is not to see how large a church we can have. The goal is to reach the prize of salvation that God has placed before us.

Bro. Hughes points out lessons that Paul brings to us in this letter to the church in Corinth to avoid being disqualified.

• Wake up. Some people can come to church in their sleep. The motions are there, but some people are sleep walking through church.

• Stay humble. The sprit of pride is present in everyone and come in many forms. None of us deserve to be here and we must enter church with a sense of humility.

• Stay accountable

• Stay submitted

• Stay focused

• Never stop running in the race.

Our scripture text occurs during a trying time in the life of David. Rebellion had destroyed his family and his son had led a large portion of the people away from David and sought to kill him. David could have stayed and fought and would have likely won, but instead he elected to leave and save the pain and heartache that fighting would have caused. Shimei is led by a sprit of revenge and calls David out as he leaves the city. Shimei’s sprit will always attack when we are down and weak. David’s men wanted to kill Shimei, but David stayed them because he knew that God had a hand in the situation. Every one of us will encounter a Shimei in life. Their only purpose is to stir up problems and throw stones and kick up dirt. They have no respect for leadership; they are quick to descend upon someone who is down like vultures. Bro. Hughes tells us that we have lessons to learn from David. First David was willing to leave the city rather than see it destroyed. When Shimei began to cast stones, David accepted it as the hand of God. By doing this, he took a weapon out of his enemy’s hand. If we can learn to do that, we will steal Devil’s joy away from beating us down. Rather than responding in anger, David asks what God was trying to tell him. Shimei sprits can throw dirt, but they cannot accept direction. Later in the bible, Shimea lost his life because he did not realize that God’s word was true. Every Shimei sprit will have their day of reckoning. This story teaches us that no matter what, we have to forgive the Shimeis in our life. Finally, we learn from David, that Shimeis can throw stones and kick up dirt, but they cannot stop us in our journey. David simply moved on and ignored Shimei and continued on his journey. Walk on, keep our head up and let God deal with Shimei.

Our scripture text occurs during a trying time in the life of David. Rebellion had destroyed his family and his son had led a large portion of the people away from David and sought to kill him. David could have stayed and fought and would have likely won, but instead he elected to leave and save the pain and heartache that fighting would have caused. Shimei is led by a sprit of revenge and calls David out as he leaves the city. Shimei’s sprit will always attack when we are down and weak. David’s men wanted to kill Shimei, but David stayed them because he knew that God had a hand in the situation. Every one of us will encounter a Shimei in life. Their only purpose is to stir up problems and throw stones and kick up dirt. They have no respect for leadership; they are quick to descend upon someone who is down like vultures. Bro. Hughes tells us that we have lessons to learn from David. First David was willing to leave the city rather than see it destroyed. When Shimei began to cast stones, David accepted it as the hand of God. By doing this, he took a weapon out of his enemy’s hand. If we can learn to do that, we will steal Devil’s joy away from beating us down. Rather than responding in anger, David asks what God was trying to tell him. Shimei sprits can throw dirt, but they cannot accept direction. Later in the bible, Shimea lost his life because he did not realize that God’s word was true. Every Shimei sprit will have their day of reckoning. This story teaches us that no matter what, we have to forgive the Shimeis in our life. Finally, we learn from David, that Shimeis can throw stones and kick up dirt, but they cannot stop us in our journey. David simply moved on and ignored Shimei and continued on his journey. Walk on, keep our head up and let God deal with Shimei.

John received his revelation while exiled on the isle of Patmos. We all have a Patmos like experience and Bro. Hughes explains that we can learn lessons from John in how to deal with life on Patmos. John was cut off from everyone. All of us find ourselves isolated and alone sometimes when we are surrounded by people. John had to carry burdens that he did not ask for. He was made to endure more than he expected. John lived with situations that were very unpleasant. It was in this place of isolation and misery that John had many visions of God and God revealed to John the future. The revelations were inspiring and disturbing at the same time. After all the images of beasts, war, evil and plagues, God also revealed to John a vision of a better life that was to come after all the trials, worries and problems. This promise allowed John to live through the misery and pain because he knew that God had a better life for him after the trial. The revelation of John shows us that no matter how bad it may seem right now, this is not how the story will end.

A vision of a better life does not mean that we are blind to what is going on right now, it means that we understand that what is going on right now is only temporary and there is something better coming for us. The key to what we see in our Isle of Patmos is determined by the spirit under which we operate.

God showed John that you can get to the good, but first you must live through the bad. God revealed to John that it might get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. God helped John to see and realize that he was in a temporary situation not a permanent dwelling. God showed John that He has a permanent resolution to our current problems.

John received his revelation while exiled on the isle of Patmos. We all have a Patmos like experience and Bro. Hughes explains that we can learn lessons from John in how to deal with life on Patmos. John was cut off from everyone. All of us find ourselves isolated and alone sometimes when we are surrounded by people. John had to carry burdens that he did not ask for. He was made to endure more than he expected. John lived with situations that were very unpleasant. It was in this place of isolation and misery that John had many visions of God and God revealed to John the future. The revelations were inspiring and disturbing at the same time. After all the images of beasts, war, evil and plagues, God also revealed to John a vision of a better life that was to come after all the trials, worries and problems. This promise allowed John to live through the misery and pain because he knew that God had a better life for him after the trial. The revelation of John shows us that no matter how bad it may seem right now, this is not how the story will end.

A vision of a better life does not mean that we are blind to what is going on right now, it means that we understand that what is going on right now is only temporary and there is something better coming for us. The key to what we see in our Isle of Patmos is determined by the spirit under which we operate.

God showed John that you can get to the good, but first you must live through the bad. God revealed to John that it might get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. God helped John to see and realize that he was in a temporary situation not a permanent dwelling. God showed John that He has a permanent resolution to our current problems.

If we had a choice, most of us would not choose many of the things that we must face in life. In our text, Paul helps us understand some things about life and how to live in uncertain times and how to finish our course with joy. Paul does not wish that he could change things about his life. He was not worried about changing his life, he was worried about finishing his life in a manner that was pleasing to God. This teaches us that we need to quit fighting and fretting about our circumstances, and simply continue on the path that God has for us. In stead of being worried about it, he was strengthened by the fact that even though he did not know what was ahead of him, God DID know and had it worked out. We cannot go back and we cannot stand still. We have no choice. We are bound to go, but not bound by the uncertainty. Paul knew that he could not alter what lay before him, but he had already placed it on the alter of God and that his life was in His hands. We cannot decide where life takes us, but we can decide the attitude with which we approach it. There are many people in the world and far too many people in the church that are worried about tomorrow. When we learn the lessons of Paul and live our life by faith rather than by sight, we can finish with joy.